In many places we visited we witnessed the alms-giving ceremony which occurs every morning in all Buddhist countries. The monks make their rounds through town, asking for alms at shops, restaurants and private homes. Buddhists believe that it brings good luck to pay respect to the monks by giving them food and put rice, fruit or vegetables in the alms bowls that the monks carry with them. In return, the monks chant a prayer and blesses the people who give the alms.

Ruth – totally agree, MUCH more authentic here than in Luang Prabang. Actually, it’s not even an ‘official ceremony’, it’s just what the monks do every day and they are not harassed by any tourists at all. We didn’t even know that the monks did it here too, we randomly stumbled upon it on our first day in town during breakfast. Loved watching it with no other tourists around – in Luang Prabang it felt so wrong with soooo many people who came to watch it and to take pictures.

Meet The Globetrottergirl…

I am Dani, a full-time traveler since 2010 when I escaped my cubicle and decided to travel the world. I have been on the road ever since and I've got no plans to stop any time soon! Read the full story here